Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

J. M. MERRITT.

WIRE STRETCHER. No. 318,012. Paented May 19, 1885.

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UNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. MERRITT, OF MARENGO, IOWA.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,012, dated May 19 1885.

Application filed August 12, 1884.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMEs M. MERRITT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marengo, in the county of Iowa and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to wire-stretchers; and it has for its object to provide a device of this character which shall be simple in its construction, cheap to manufacture, and effective and durable in its use.

The invention consists in the improved construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wirestretcher constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 4c is a detail view, of the wire-clamp.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures, A represents the main or guide bar, which, as shown, is formed with a longitudinal recess or gutter, a, running its entire length from end to end.

To the forward end of the main or guide frame A, upon the under side thereof, is secured a bracket, B, by means of rivets or equivalent fastenings.

C represents alever, which is pivoted at its lower end to said bracket.

Fitting in the gutter or channel of the main or guide bar A is a pawl, D, which is pivoted to the lever G.

E represents the stretcher-bar, which is formed upon its upper side with a series of teeth, which incline in a forward direction. It will be seen that as the rear end of the pivoted pawl is heavier than the for- (No model.)

Between the sides of the main or guide bar is pivoted a pawl, F, the forward end of which is held in position upon the stretcherbar by means of a coil-spring, which is located under the rear end of said pawl.

G represents the clamp for holding the end of the wire while it is being stretched. This clamp consists of the bracket H, between the sides of which is pivoted a cam-lever, I, having on its front face or edge a series of bitingteeth, a. Said cam-lever has an extension forming a handle, I).

Extending upwardly from the bracket is a seat, J, between which and the lever the wire is held.

A chain is secured to the other or forward end of the main or guide rod, said chain being adapted to be secured around a post or other object to hold the main bar while the wire is being stretched. The said chain may have attached thereto a clamp like the one described, which might be attached to the wire of the adjacent section of the fence.

The operation is as follows: The end of the wire is held in the clamp H, and the lever pushed forwardly, which causes the stretcherbar to move in the same direction through the medium of the pivoted pawl. As soon as the forward movement of said lever is stopped the spring-pressed pawl engages one of the teeth upon the stretcher-bar and holds the same until the lever carrying the pawl has been moved rearwardly to obtain a new hold upon said stretcher-bar.

It will be seen from the above description that a wire-stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention is simple in its construction, may be manufactured and supplied at a comparatively slight cost, and that the wire may be easily stretched with but a minimum expenditure of power.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described wire-stretcher, comprising a main bar, A, having a? channel running its entire length, a bracket, B, secured to its under side, and means for its at- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature 10 in presence of two Witnesses.

J AMES M. MERRITT.

Witnesses:

H. E. BLASIER, HENRY SNYDER. 

